SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

The regular, scheduled meeting of the Council of the Village of Marble Cliff was held Monday, September 21, 2015 in the Village Hall at 1600 Fernwood Ave. at 7:00 pm. Those in attendance were: Council Members: Matthew P. Cincione, Linda J. Siefkas, Robert W. Sterneker, Kendy A. Troiano and Dow T. Voelker; Mayor, Kent E. Studebaker; Village Solicitor, Mitchel Banchefsky; Village Engineer, Joshua Ford; Administrative Assistant, William Johannes; Fiscal Officer, Cynthia A. McKay. Visitors were present.

VISITORS
Mayor Studebaker introduced Lindsey Kerr and Dan Risko from the Ohio Treasurer’s Office. He told Council Ms. Kerr and Mr. Risko were attending the meeting to demonstrate the Ohio Checkbook program designed by the treasurer’s office and available to municipalities.
Ms. Kerr explained the Ohio Checkbook program was developed to increase public access to public records and to improve “transparency” in government activities. Ms. Kerr proceeded to demonstrate the Ohio Checkbook online program which provides detailed information on expenditures at the state level and for individual municipalities that choose to participate in the program. She explained that individual communities will be able to customize their page with their logo.
Council asked questions regarding retention of records and agreed that the Fiscal Officer should work with the Treasurer’s office to have records removed after five years in order to be consistent with the Village’s Records Retention Policy.

Ms. Siefkas moved the Village of Marble Cliff participate in the Ohio Treasurer’s Ohio Checkbook program. Ms. Troiano seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

VISITORS – Cont.
Mayor Studebaker introduced Dan Schmidt, representing the owner of 2015 W. Fifth Ave., to present revised plans for redevelopment of 2015 W. Fifth Ave.
Mr. Schmidt presented preliminary design plans for redevelopment of 2015 W. Fifth Ave. as a multi-family apartment development including the demolition of the building located on the property.
Mr. Schmidt asked Jonathan Barnes, architect for the project, to explain the drawings presented to Council. He stated the plan includes 60 units but commented that the current design is “overparked” at this point and that parking is a primary concern and consideration for final development plans. The design allows for parking under some of the buildings. The buildings then vary in height from 3 stories facing on W. Fifth Ave. to 4 stories on the back of the property. The plans provided to Council included a visual perspective from W. Fifth Ave., Arlington Ave., and Roxbury Rd.
One of the design features is stepping back the 3rd and 4th stories from the line of the 1st and 2nd stories. Mr. Barnes also explained that with the underground parking the actual height of the buildings would be 3.5 to 4.5 stories. He commented that the property has many trees and the developer would work to maintain as many trees as possible.
Council asked general questions about the overall design and offered comments, criticisms, and suggestions. Several Council members commented that 60 units are too many for the property. Several Council members and staff commented that they appreciated the revised plan which moved the buildings to the center of the property. Ms. Troiano commented that several residents have commented that the proposed design is too big, too tall, and too dense. She also asked that future drawings offer more architectural detail than the white blocks that make up the current design materials.
Mr. Sterneker echoed Ms. Troiano’s comments and stated that residents had expressed concerns about the project to him.
Mr. Schmidt commented that this development would be unique in the Grandview/Arlington/Marble Cliff area. He stated the age demographic and the socio-economic profile of potential tenants will be older, empty nesters that spend winters in the south. Mr. Barnes stated the trend toward renting rather than owing is increasing among the target demographic.
Helen Miller, owner of 1600 Roxbury Rd., stated her concern that the development should retain the historical nature of the neighborhood. She also stated her opinion that the density as proposed is high relative to the rest of the community. Ms. Miller also asked that the developer consider issues of water runoff and parking issues related to the churches in the immediate vicinity. She also suggested the developers complete boring samples to determine the impact of the ground rock in Marble Cliff. She encouraged Council to consider the impact of the development on the apartment buildings on either side of the development.
Mr. Schmidt thanked Council for their time.

MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Studebaker stated that the revised web site has been made available to Council for review and comment. Council members commented that they are pleased with the changes and improvements. Ms. Troiano shared some suggestions for improvements. Mayor Studebaker commented the purpose is to make the site more user friendly and accessible. Mr. Cincione asked if it is possible to have a single shared calendar between the schools and the communities. Mayor Studebaker commented that Mr. Cincione’s suggestion is very intriguing and offered that the GH Public Library might be a source for investigating such a community wide calendar.

Mayor Studebaker commented that he has had preliminary conversation with Grandview Mayor Ray DeGraw regarding early negotiations for the next service contract between Marble Cliff and Grandview Heights. There is one year remaining on the current contract. Mayor Studebaker and Mayor DeGraw are discussing a new five year contract or, possibly, a ten year contract. Mayor Studebaker stated there may be a contract for Council consideration at the next meeting.

Mayor Studebaker shared with Council that there will be a Candidates’ Night sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce on October 15, 2015 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. He said Marble Cliff candidates will be welcomed to the stage, but not invited to participate in the debate proceedings.

ENGINEER’S REPORT
Mr. Ford reported that the W. Fifth Ave. bridge demolition is on schedule. The bulk of the work has been done on the west side of the river. The most current estimate for completion is December 1, 2015 at the earliest.

Mr. Ford reported Columbia Gas is still working in the Village. Several homes on Cambridge Blvd. were not connected to the new medium pressure gas lines. He also reported that most of the surface restoration has been completed, but there are a number of restoration points still to be addressed. Mayor Studebaker asked Council members to report areas of need to Village Hall.

Mayor Studebaker introduced the first reading of O-2473-15, An Ordinance accepting a Proposal from Legg & Davis for the 2015 Village Sidewalk Repair Project and Authorizing an agreement with B-Level Concrete lifting, and declaring an emergency.
Mr. Ford explained the scope of the work. Mr. Ford requested estimates from several concrete contractors and recommends that Council accept the proposal from Legg & Davis.
Mr. Sterneker moved the rules be suspended. Ms. Troiano seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Troiano moved the adoption of O-2473-15. Mr. Sterneker seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Troiano moved the ordinance be adopted as emergency legislation in order to complete the necessary repairs immediately for the health and safety of Marble Cliff residents and visitors.
Mr. Sterneker seconded. Roll call: Mr. Cincione, yes; Ms. Siefkas, yes;
Mr. Sterneker, yes; Ms. Troiano, yes; Mr. Voelker, yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Mayor Studebaker introduced the first reading of R-2474-15, A Resolution, and declaring the necessity to repair certain sidewalks, gutters and driveway aprons in the village of Marble Cliff and confirming the costs of such repairs to be charged to the owners of properties located at 1587 Roxbury Rd., 1271 Arlington Ave., and 1489 Arlington Ave., in accordance with Section 92.03 of The Codified Ordinances and the Sidewalk Policy of the Village of Marble Cliff adopted by Village Council on October 15, 2012, and declaring an emergency.
Ms. McKay stated that the resolution is necessary to meet the requirements of the Sidewalk Policy adopted by Council on October 15, 2012. She stated she has notified the property owners impacted by the resolution.
Mr. Cincione moved the rules be suspended. Ms. Siefkas seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Mr. Cincione moved the adoption of R-2474-15. Ms. Siefkas seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Troiano moved the resolution be adopted as emergency legislation in order to complete the necessary repairs immediately for the health and safety of Marble Cliff residents and visitors.
Mr. Voelker seconded. Roll call: Mr. Cincione, yes; Ms. Siefkas, yes; Mr. Sterneker, yes; Ms. Troiano, yes; Mr. Voelker, yes. The motion passed unanimously.

Mr. Ford left the meeting at this point.

SOLICITOR’S REPORT
Mr. Banchefsky had no report for Council.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT’S REPORT
Mr. Johannes reported that Environmental Management will once again provide curb-side leaf pick-up in the Village. EMI’s hourly rate is unchanged from 2014.

Mr. Johannes reported that the Grandview Heights Service Department is holding an electronic waste pick-up on Saturday, September 26, 2015.

FISCAL OFFICER’S REPORT
Mayor Studebaker introduced the first reading of O-2476-15, An Ordinance to establish the Dublin Rd. & Cardigan Ave. Waterlines Improvements Fund and to amend Ordinance O-2441-14 (2015 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE) to make a supplemental appropriation of $79,300 to the Dublin Rd. & Cardigan Ave. Waterlines Improvements Fund and to amend Ordinance O-2441-14 (2015 APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE) to appropriate an additional $6,344 to the General Fund to be transferred out of the General Fund and into the Dublin Rd. & Cardigan Ave. Waterlines Improvements Fund.

Ms. McKay commented that this ordinance is necessary to move the upcoming OPWC project forward.
Ms. Troiano moved the rules be suspended. Ms. Siefkas seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Troiano moved the adoption of O-2476-15. Ms. Siefkas seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Ms. McKay stated she will be out of the office on vacation from Friday, September 25, 2015 through Friday, October 2, 2015.

COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS
Ms. Troiano reported the GH Parks and Recreation Board met to discuss upgrades and improvements to the community gardens and establishing a connecting path between the community gardens and McKinley Park.
Ms. Troiano also reported the board is addressing some drainage issues at Wyman Woods and looking into improvements to the dugouts at Pierce Field.

Ms. Troiano stated Start Talking Grandview is working to get moving again and focus on working with the GH schools.

Mr. Cincione reported that the bulk of the work on the new health and fitness facility at the GH High School is complete. Some fund raising is ongoing.

NEW BUSINESS
Mayor Studebaker introduced the first reading of O-2475-15, An Ordinance to add Chapter 36 to the Codified Ordinances of the Village of Marble Cliff regarding Municipal Income Tax.
Mr. Banchefsky explained that this ordinance is required to comply with new local income tax regulations mandated by the state of Ohio. The new regulations must be passed for an effective date of January 1, 2016. Mr. Banchefsky also stated that the old language will remain in effect for 5 years. He stated he and Ms. McKay are working with the City of Columbus’ Income Tax Division to finalize the legislation.
No action was taken.